Mumbai, 26 May 2026: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a Maharatna Oil Marketing Company, and Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pilot a structured and scalable model for the responsible collection and recycling of used automotive lubricants.
This collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of two leading Indian organisations to address a critical sustainability challenge, while supporting compliance with India’s evolving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and advancing the country’s circular economy goals.
The initiative aims to establish an organized and traceable system for managing used lubricants—classified as hazardous waste, from collection and storage to recycling.
The process will enable conversion into high-quality re-refined base oil, improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental risk. The pilot is expected to set new benchmarks for responsible waste management and support India’s transition towards a circular, resource-efficient economy.
Launching the pilot, Mr. Ch Srinivas, Executive Director – Lubes, HPCL, said: “Achieving true circularity in used oil begins with reintegrating re-refined base oil into finished lubricants. Our collaboration with Tata Motors is a significant step towards building a scalable model for used oil circularity and reducing the carbon footprint across operations.”
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Vikram Agrawal, Head – Parts and Services, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “Used automotive lubricant, if not handled responsibly, can cause long-term environmental harm. Addressing this challenge calls for credible partners, clear processes and the ability to operate at scale.
HPCL has been a trusted partner to Tata Motors across multiple dimensions, and this collaboration allows us to take a meaningful step towards organised and responsible recycling. With the combined strengths of both organisations, we believe this pilot can help establish a robust foundation for wider industry adoption.”
Under the partnership, HPCL will anchor the aggregation and transportation of used lubricants through authorised collection mechanisms, ensuring channelisation to registered recyclers.
Tata Motors will leverage its extensive authorized service network to enable structured collection and promote responsible disposal practices across its ecosystem.
The pilot will be implemented across select states and governed by a joint committee comprising representatives from both organizations, responsible for monitoring progress and evaluating scalability.
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